On a recent visit to Beijing, ICSSPE President Prof. Dr. Gudrun Doll-Tepper was able to visit the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Regional Development Centre in the city. The following introduction outlines the activities of the Centre and its future directions.

The establishment of Regional Development Centres (RDC’s) is an important integral strategy of the IAAF. The objective is to widely and deeply develop altheics all around the world. As branches of the IAAF, there are 10 RDC’s located respectively in Asia, Europe, Africa, America and Oceania. Among International sporting organisations, only the IAAF has such a network of governing bodies.

IAAF RDC-Beijing was founded on October 26th, 1994. Directed by IAAF, its main function is to support and serve the athletic development of Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Macao and also to act as a bridge for the communication of IAAF and other RDC’s.

IAAF RDC-Beijing is on the campus of Beijing University of Physical Education. It has been equipped with good office, teaching and training facilities. It has also set up proper cooperation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) and the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC).

According to the characteristics of the Asian area, IAAF RDC-Beijing has successfully wrapped up a series of activities. Since its foundation, RDC-Beijing has held 24 seminars, with over 350 participants. This has lead to 8 accreditations as International Race Walking Judges, 7 people becoming IAAF Technical Official Education and Certification System Level 1 lecturers and 9 registrations as International Road Course Measurers.

In order to strengthen the cultivation of the young talents, RDC holds "Youth Athletics Summer Camp in Asia" each year. Due to the rich activities and good training effect, the Summer Camp is popular among the athletics federations in Asia and the number of participants is increasing annually. In cooperation with the China Great Wall Academy and Beijing Shisanling Special Zone, the RDC-Beijing also holds the "Juyongguan Great Wall International Climbing Competition" every year.

IAAF RDC-Beijing annually publishes 3 to 4 issues of a Bulletin with copies being distributed to the IOC, IAAF, AAA, member federations in East Asia, other RDC’s and all participants of activities coordinated by the RDC-Beijing.

IAAF RDC-Beijing plans to enlarge its undertakings, such as organising competitions, publishing athletic books, and setting up an international high level training centre. It should bring its function into full play and continue to extend its influence so as to contribute more to the athletics in East Asia.



http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-June2004.htm